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-   -   ? about using walking foot for the first time! (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/about-using-walking-foot-first-time-t49731.html)

Joeysnana 06-15-2010 06:15 AM

I am going to be brave and attempt to use my walking foot finally. Thought I would make placemats. How do you secure the stitches when you start and stop? Do you backstitch? TIA

Pam 06-15-2010 06:20 AM

I do not backstitch, but if you think it would make it stronger, go ahead. If you are using a binding, there is really no need to backstitch. If you are turning them, and them quilting, you better.

sharon b 06-15-2010 06:41 AM

Be sure and read the instructions some you CAN NOT back stitch with. Don't want to break it the first time you use it :wink: Some machines you can set the machine down to 0 for stitches so it does a couple in place .

Prism99 06-15-2010 06:50 AM

I use 3 tiny stitches to lock -- not quite on top of each other, but very close together. It's often not a good idea to try to backstitch with a walking foot.

littlehud 06-15-2010 07:00 AM

I couldn't backstitch with my walking foot. My Pfaff had IDT which is like a built in walking foot and I can backstitch with that.

mamaw 06-15-2010 07:16 AM

You don't need to backstitch because your binding will secure the stitches when you sew that on.

amma 06-15-2010 08:10 AM

I either start within the seam line for the binding, or use 3-4 little tiny stitches. I try to avoid backstitching, as it shows on the back of the quilted item. :D:D:D

Kitsie 06-15-2010 08:37 AM

I press the "needle up/needle down" button several times for tiny stitches. It's such a pain to press from 3.0 stitch length to 0 and back up again! Also, I can backstitch using the WF on my Brother machine, thank godness!

Joeysnana 06-15-2010 09:22 AM

I am going to attempt grid quilting. Maybe doing the binding with the WF if the quilting goes okay. I have a Brother so maybe I can backstitch? I think I will just use the "needle up needle down" feature. That sounds easier. Thanks everyone!!

insecurity 06-16-2010 04:30 AM

I you start in a spot that doesn't go to the edge of your quilt, you need to secure the stitches-backstitch, lock stitch, etc..and don't sew fast. The wlking foot does't go very fast, just be patient. You will have a great time! NEXt-Free Motion!

Joeysnana 06-16-2010 04:41 AM


Originally Posted by insecurity
I you start in a spot that doesn't go to the edge of your quilt, you need to secure the stitches-backstitch, lock stitch, etc..and don't sew fast. The wlking foot does't go very fast, just be patient. You will have a great time! NEXt-Free Motion!

Thanks for the hint about not going fast. I get nervous and tend to put the pedal to the metal!

quiltinghere 06-16-2010 04:48 AM

Here's what I did on a baby quilt.
I pulled up the bobbin thread by lowering my needle once and bringing it back up with my 'needle up/down button'.
I went two stitches forward and two back and then sewed.
After I quilted the entire thing, I sat in front of the tv and buried the long threads into the quilt and snipped the ends.
Is this the correct/best way? Don't know - it's what I did for a baby flannel quilt that was not going to be judged...just loved.

I agree to take your time using the walking foot...let it do the work.

Check the back occasionally.

I reminded myself (and sometimes out loud) that I was quilting faster than hand sewing...so relax and enjoy the process!

Joeysnana 06-16-2010 04:57 AM


Originally Posted by quiltinghere
Here's what I did on a baby quilt.
I pulled up the bobbin thread by lowering my needle once and bringing it back up with my 'needle up/down button'.
I went two stitches forward and two back and then sewed.
After I quilted the entire thing, I sat in front of the tv and buried the long threads into the quilt and snipped the ends.
Is this the correct/best way? Don't know - it's what I did for a baby flannel quilt that was not going to be judged...just loved.

I agree to take your time using the walking foot...let it do the work.

I think I will print this out and put it beside my machine!! Great hints! Thanks!!
Check the back occasionally.

I reminded myself (and sometimes out loud) that I was quilting faster than hand sewing...so relax and enjoy the process!

I will print this out and put it beside my sewing machine. Great hints. Thanks!

Kitsie 06-16-2010 07:19 AM


Originally Posted by Joeysnana

Originally Posted by quiltinghere
Here's what I did on a baby quilt.
I pulled up the bobbin thread by lowering my needle once and bringing it back up with my 'needle up/down button'.
I went two stitches forward and two back and then sewed.
After I quilted the entire thing, I sat in front of the tv and buried the long threads into the quilt and snipped the ends.
Is this the correct/best way? Don't know - it's what I did for a baby flannel quilt that was not going to be judged...just loved.

I agree to take your time using the walking foot...let it do the work.

I think I will print this out and put it beside my machine!! Great hints! Thanks!!
Check the back occasionally.

I reminded myself (and sometimes out loud) that I was quilting faster than hand sewing...so relax and enjoy the process!

I will print this out and put it beside my sewing machine. Great hints. Thanks!


Kitsie 06-16-2010 07:21 AM

Oops, sorry for "empty" reply!

Does your Brother have the option to use the peddle or the buttons instead? You can set the speed for using the button. I find that even if I use the peddle and the speed is set slow then the machine will still stitch only up to the set speed with the peddle! (I've done the "panic" stitching too many times also!)

Joeysnana 06-16-2010 08:47 AM


Originally Posted by Kitsie
Oops, sorry for "empty" reply!

Does your Brother have the option to use the peddle or the buttons instead? You can set the speed for using the button. I find that even if I use the peddle and the speed is set slow then the machine will still stitch only up to the set speed with the peddle! (I've done the "panic" stitching too many times also!)

Yes, my machine has both the pedal and the button to control the speed. So are you saying that if I set the speed for "slow", then the pedal won't exceed that speed? If so, that is great!

Kitsie 06-16-2010 09:38 AM


Originally Posted by Joeysnana

Originally Posted by Kitsie
Oops, sorry for "empty" reply!

Does your Brother have the option to use the peddle or the buttons instead? You can set the speed for using the button. I find that even if I use the peddle and the speed is set slow then the machine will still stitch only up to the set speed with the peddle! (I've done the "panic" stitching too many times also!)

Yes, my machine has both the pedal and the button to control the speed. So are you saying that if I set the speed for "slow", then the pedal won't exceed that speed? If so, that is great!

My XR-7700 does. Found that out when I was trying to go faster but when I was arranging the quilt my hand accidentally moved the lever to the left! Just try on a scrap.


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